lcdm dec/jan 2014
DESCRIPTION
Life Affirming Resolutions You can Steal from your Dog, The Importance of Play, Animal Advocate of the Year Award, Hip DysplasiaTRANSCRIPT
magazinedecember/january 2014
volume 10, issue 1
TM
animal advocate of the year award
ready, set, play
hip dysplasia
life affirmingRESOLUTIONSyou can stealfrom your dog.
contentsPublisher
Leah England
(843) 478-0266
Advertising Information
(843) 284-3094
Communications
Gillian Nicol
Staff Photographer
Laura Olsen
www.lauraolsen.com
Accounting
Carrie Clark Financial Services
(843) 367-9969
Lowcountry Dog Magazine
PO Box 22
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Web: lowcountrydog.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland
Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog
december/january 2014
animal advocate of the year award 4
holiday gift guide 6
osteoarthritis in pets 8
a true gift 12
resolutions 14
calendar of events 21
training 22
Ready, Set, Play!
health & wellness 24
Hip Dysplasia
bone appétit 26
144
Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.
Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.
The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher.
Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.
6
This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper.
Continue the green process by recycling this copy.
Cover photo and last Table of Contents photo by Laura Olsen
Imagery.
Lowcountrydog 3
205 Scott Street(Old Villiage)
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464(843) 856-7384
www.DoggieHeavenDaycare.net
Cage-less doggie daycare& boarding
THE ONLY COMPLETELY CAGELESS FACILITY IN THE AREA WITH A HOME-LIKE
ENVIRONMENT!YOU CAN RELAX!
DOGS ARE SUPERVISED 24/7
Summerville’s Only Pet Allergy SpecialistCertified in Pet Nutrition
• Holistic Pet Food & Supplements• Toys & Leashes
• Pet Beds and Accessories• Corn & Wheat Free Store
• Self Serve Dog Wash
phot
o by
Tam
bako
the
Jagu
ar
(843) 871-7977440 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville
www.alliswellpets.com
Jennifer and Salty.
INTRODUCINGthe Lowcountry Dog Magazine Animal Advocate of the Year Award
This award will be given to a member of the Greater Charleston community to recognize his/her achievements in advancing
the welfare of animals through leadership, public service, lawmaking, education, research, or veterinary service. The
magazine’s purpose in bestowing this award is to encourage attention to animal welfare in the lowcountry. LCDM believes in
publicly recognizing and thanking those who go out of their way to improve the lives of animals.
Four Finalists will be chosen by LCDM and featured on the publication’s website and in the print magazine. Online voting will
determine the winner, who will be announced in the Dec/Jan 2015 issue. Recipients must be available and willing to participate
in a photo shoot, be interviewed, attend a presentation ceremony, and participate in other recognition activities.
Criteria for Qualification:
Nominee must reside at least 6 months out of the year in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Nominee’s work must contain specific examples of commitment to one or more of the following categories
in Animal Advocacy:
Leadership
Public Service
Education
Research
Lawmaking
Veterinary Service
Your nomination letter should include:
•Yournameandcontactinfo
•Nominee’snameandcontactinfo
•“AnimalAdvocateoftheYearAward”inthesubjectline
•Atleast500wordsdetailinghowyournomineehasadvocatedforanimalsinourcommunity,
citing specific examples within at least one of the key categories listed above.
•Illustrativeimagesifavailable
Nominationsshouldbeemailedtoleah@lowcountrydog.combyMarch1st2014.Submissionsmustbesentusingthesubject
line:“AnimalAdvocateoftheYearAward.”OnlinevotingwillbegininAprilandcontinuethroughNovember1st.
Lowcountrydog 5
843.881.0800 Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre hairywinston.com
HAIRY WINSTONPet Boutique & Grocery
It’s beginning
to look a lot like
Christmas!Naughty or Nice?
We have everything to make your
pup’s holiday Happy & Bright
at just the Right Price!
Sponsoredby Ruby
Help Keep Charleston
Beautiful& Be Famous
Sponsor a waste bag dispenser at your favorite local park
featuring a photo of your pet!
For more information contactKeep Charleston Beautiful
www.keepcharlestonbeautiful.org
(843)579-7501
Ask aboutbusiness
sponsorships!
6 Lowcountrydog
Gifts for the...
&1.
2.3.
6..
5.
4.
Lowcountrydog 7
• TwoMountPleasantLocations• MassageTherapy• ManyTechniquesincluding
NoTwistingorCracking
• NutritionalAnalysisandCounseling
• LowLevelColdLaserTherapy• InsuranceAccepted
Must present coupon. Cannot be combined. Expires 1/31/14
Main Office3373 S. Morgans Point Rd. #307 Mt. Pleasant
Eco location has Moved426 Coleman Blvd Mt. Pleasant
ARTHRITIS | ACCIDENTS | SPORTS INJURIES | FIBROMYALGIA
AccurateChiropractic
AccurateChiropractic
ACCURATECHIROPRACTIC
843.971.8814www.mtpleasantchiro.com
Must present coupon. Cannot be combined. Expires 1/31/14
843.971.8814 843.971.8814
Drs. Gina &Michael Courson
OPENSATURDAYS
First Visit $40onlyLose up to
HCG weight loss program only $37540 pounds in 40days
We accept competitor’s coupons and Groupons!
SOUTH CAROLINA’S MOST ADVANCED, EXPERIENCED & TRUSTED!Your veterinarian’s trusted partner since 1999!
24 HOUR EMERGENCY CARE IN 2 LOCATIONS!
VeterinarySpecialtyCare.com
985 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant Medicine: 843-216-7554Surgery: 843-216-7554Emergency: 843-216-7554
3163 West Montague Ave., North CharlestonMedicine: 843-793-2161
Emergency: 843-744-3372
• BoardCertifiedInternalMedicine,Oncology,Neurology,Surgery&Cardiology• Over100yearscombined,trustedexperienceintheLowcountry• Onlineemergencypre-registrationonourwebsite• Mostadvanced&safestMRIinSouthCarolina• TakeavirtualtourofournewhospitalonourwebsiteWhen your pet is sick or hurt, we know exactly how you feel. We’ve been there, through the worry, anxiety and concern. We offer the most advanced medical care possible along with the tender, compassionate & attentive care your pet deserves.
More than a pet store....we’re a community for pets and the people who love them.
Lucia’s carries the top holistic dog and cat foods, fun toys, stylish
collars, great beds, herbs, homeopathics, supplements & more.
Publix Shopping Center Daniel Island
843.377.8740www.luciaspremiumpet.com
8 Lowcountrydog
7. 8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Gifts for the 12 days of Christmasfrom local purveyors
1. Naughty and Nice treats from Hairy Winston. 2. P.L.A.Y Dog Bed from Bark N Meow. 3. Lumps of Coal treats tin
from Lucia's Premium Pet. 4. Various fun holiday sweaters from Hairy Winston. 5. Catit Design Cat Scratching
Posts from Petland. 6. Hugglehounds Snowman from Lucia's Premium Pet 7. College Sports themed collars and
jerseysfromPetland.8. Oliver Bentley Biscuits made in Savannah, available at Bark N Meow. 9. Curli Luumi LED
Saftey Light from Lucia's Premium Pet. 10. Merrick Christmas Day Dinner dog food from Hairy Winston. 11. Nina
Ottosson dog puzzle from Bark N Meow. 12. Habitrail Ovo Hamster Habitat from Petland.
Hairy Winston 1605 Palmetto Grande Drive Mount Pleasant, SC. 29464 www.hairywinston.com • Bark N Meow 3575 Maybank Highway Suite E Johns Island, SC 29455 www.barknmeow.net • Lucia's Premium Pet 62 Seven Farms Dr. Suite 115 Daniel Island, SC 29492 www.
luciaspremiumpet.com • Petland 975 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 www.petland.com
Lowcountrydog 9
Pet Boarding & Doggie Daycare
111 Acres Drive • Ladson, SC 29456(843) 553-3710 (843) 553-3713 fax
[email protected] preppy pet sc
Mon-Fri: 7-12 and 2-7 Closed 12-2 Sat: 8-1 and Sun:1-4
It’s the playtime that makes all the differenceSix indoor play areas.
Three outdoor runs including NEW, fenced-in field.
Rufus
Rule no. 1DON’T FALL FOR THIS FACE.
Private Training Day Training Behavior Modification Group ClassesCindy Carter, CPDT-KA
843-906-9997
mindfulmanners.net
Luxury Daycare & BoardingLocated on Johns Island
1989 River RdJohns Island
NEW SERVICES!The Wedding Nanny& Dawg Tired Fitness
we can help include your dog in your wedding ceremony, or give them the exercise they need!
10 Lowcountrydog
Osteoarthritis is something we hear a lot about in people but did
you know your pet may also be suffering from the same problem?
Osteoarthritis, also know as OA or degenerative joint disease
(DJD), is the development of cartilage loss along with bone and
softtissuechangesassociatedwithajoint.Inpets,osteoarthritis
is typically secondary to another problem. Underlying problems,
or causes of osteoarthritis, include developmental diseases,
trauma, fractures or degenerative diseases. A developmental
disease is one that was not present at birth but occurs or surfaces
during the development or growth of the animal. Hip dysplasia
and elbow dysplasia are common developmental diseases that
ultimatelyresultinarthritisoftheaffectedjointorjoints.The
hip or elbow start out normal at birth but do not develop normally
as the animal grows and matures. These dogs can have significant
OA before they even reach their first birthday. A very common
example of a degenerative disease that results in OA in dogs and
less commonly in cats, is a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL).
The CCL is very similar in function to the ACL (anterior cruciate
ligament) in people and is one of the primary stabilizers of the
knee or stifle. In people, ACL tears typically occur secondary to
asportsinjuryortraumaticeventsuchassteppinginahole.In
dogs, it is more of a chronic degenerative process although the
‘last straw’ to a degenerating CCL can be an athletic event like a
great squirrel chase or running to catch a ball.
What can you do to reduce the chance your pet will develop
osteoarthritis? If you are asking this question and have not yet
found your furry companion, one thing to think about before
you even get a pet is what diseases are specific breeds prone to
and how can I best avoid those diseases. When it comes to the
developmental diseases, they tend to affect the large and giant
breeds more often than our smaller friends. If you are thinking
of a certain breed, do your research. Has the breeder had the
parents evaluated for hip and elbow dysplasia through the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) (www.offa.org) or the
hips evaluated with PennHIP radiographic assessment (www.
research.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip). While these assessments
help reduce the chance the offspring will have a developmental
disease, and therefore secondary OA, they are not full proof.
Another big factor in the development or expression of
osteoarthritis that you can definitely control is the weight of
your pet. We have all heard the news about the increasing weight
and waistline of the American public. Well the same problem is
occurring in our pets. Food is not love people! And all the extra
weight your pet is carrying around is hurting the joints and
shortening their life span. There was a great study, done a few
years ago, at the University of Pennsylvania that really drives this
point home. The researchers took 2 groups of Labrador puppies
and followed them thru their life. The first group of dogs was
allowed to eat free-choice until a little over 3 years of life then
they were fed a controlled amount of food to prevent obesity.
These are the Labs that I like to call ‘pleasantly plump’. Most
owners know their dogs are a ‘little overweight’ but ‘can’t resist
thosedarkbrowneyes’ortellme‘heenjoyshistreatsandIenjoy
giving them to him’. The second group of dogs from the study was
fed 25% less food then its partner dog in the other group. These
are the dogs that are at the appropriate weight meaning you can
feel ribs along the chest without digging through fat, see a ‘waist’
when viewed from the top and the chest ‘tucks up’ to the belly
when viewed from the side. The group of dogs fed 25% less had far
less development of OA (10% vs 77%), later onset of clinical signs
of OA and other diseases, and lived almost 2 years longer than the
other group of dogs.
What if my pet already has OA? There are definitely causes
of OA or OA itself that can be helped with surgery. Surgery to
correct of an unstable knee secondary to a CCL tear is one of the
most common surgeries we perform at CVRC. But even the best
surgeon can’t undo OA that has already developed. Medical or
conservative management of OA is always indicated regardless
of the surgical intervention provided. The basic components
ofmedicalmanagement consist ofweight lossor control, joint
supplements with glucosamine and chondoitren, omega 3 fatty
acids (fish oils to reduce inflammation) and as-needed use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). In addition,
physical rehabilitation, similar to physical therapy in people,
is beneficial in promoting weight loss, maintaining or building
musclemasstoreducestrainonosteoarthriticjoints,improving
rangeofmotionandjointcomfort.
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, is a specialty referral and 24-hour,
7-day-a-week emergency and critical care veterinary hospital. Dr. Au is part
of CVRC’s Center for Orthopedic and Minimally Invasive Surgery. More
information may be found at www.CharlestonVRC.com or on Facebook at
Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC or (843) 614-VETS (8387).
Osteoarthritis in Petsby Dr. Au
Lowcountrydog 11
thelearningcanine
Dogs of all ages need higher education.Get a Pet Degree with TLC!
Private Training and Group Classes in 7 locations across the Tri-County Area. 15% Discount for Rescue and SPCA Alumni.
www.thelearningcanine.com
(843) 607-1227
Looking for Downtown Veterinary Care?
Conveniently located just off East Bay Street.
OLDE TOWNEVETERINARY CLINIC
843-723-144317 Pinckney St.www.oldetownevet.com
Cynthia P. Smith, DVMKelli Klein, DVM • Laurie Wallace, DVM
Our personalized services includeSmall Animal Medicine • Dentistry
Surgery • Geriatric Care • Boarding
Ask about our College of Charleston discounts & convenient drop off service
Mobile Veterinary Laser TherapyRevolutionary Pain Control
for Your Best Friend
Pain Relief that is:Medication-Free, Surgery-Free
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Providing laser treatments to your pets at home, where they are most comfortable
Veterinarian-Owned
Staffed by Veterinary Professionals
www.healinglightlaser.com(843) 606-0024
A Full Service Clinic Offering:• Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Surgery
• Dental Cleaning & Oral Surgery • Full Service Laboratory
• Large Pharmacy
Book Your Pet a Stay in Our Kennel!We offer individualized care for
pets with special needs.
College Park Road Veterinary Clinicwww.cprvcbk.vetsuite.com
Dr. Cheri HooperDr. Lisa Lewis
186 College Park RdLadson, SC
(843) 797-1493
20% Off First Exam*with mention of this ad
12 Lowcountrydog
This year, give a gift you know will fit, is the right color,
And captures the real spirit of the holiday season!
Who among us has not dreaded selecting yet another tie,
scarf or sweater to give to a friend or family member during the
holidays? Similarly throughout the rest of the year, who among
us has not tried to find a meaningful response to the loss of a
loved one, whether a friend, family member or companion pet?
This year, forego the hassle of the malls and the disappointment
of a gift you know they’re going to return. Tribute gifts provide a
meaningful way to honor a loved one, human or pet, for the way
he or she has enriched our lives, while providing an opportunity
for reflection and appreciation. Here are some creative – and very
meaningful – gifts ideas that are sure to light up the star on your
Christmas tree.
Gifts Under $20
•Arabiesshotforahomelessdog $12
•Painmedicationforadogunder56lbs. $12
•Fleatreatmentforahomelessdog $17
•Singledoseofheartwormpreventative $17
•Painmedicationforadogover56lbs. $18
Gifts Under $100
•Arabiesvaccination $20
•Amicrochip $22
•Aheartwormtest $23
•Heartwormpreventative(under25lbs.) $25
•Awellnessexamandvaccinesfora
low-incomefamily’spet $43
•Heartwormpreventativeforalargedog $42
•Fleatreatmentforahomelessdog $58
•Neuteradogunder60lbs. $90
Gifts Under $500
•Feedandshelteradogforamonth $100
•Spayadogunder60lbs. $105
•Spayalargedog $155
•Spayareallybigdog(over120lbs.) $180
Gifts That Will Have a Major Impact on the Lives of
Homeless, Injured and Abused Pets for Years to Come
•NameaDogRecoveryKennelintheClinic $2,500
•NameaPuppyorSmallDogAdoptionWindow $7,500
•NameanAdoptionKenneltohousenewmoms
andtheirpuppies $10,000
•NamethePetFoodPantryforlow-incomefamilies$35,000
Nametheclinic’sDogRecoveryWard $50,000
Nametheclinic’snewAdvancedDiagnosticCenter $100,000
We all hope to leave the world a little better than we found it.
“How?”isthequestion.Imaginebeingabletoprotecthomeless
pets from hunger and suffering both now and into the future. You
can! There are so many ways of helping save lives at Pet Helpers
that regardless of your income, assets, time or talent, you can
make a difference.
For ways to volunteer,
contact Jessica Blanton
at 795-1110, or jblanton@
pethelpers.org or for
monetary donations,
contact Leigh Handal,
Director of Philanthropy
and Partnerships, at 795-
1110 or
A True Gift
Lowcountrydog 13
3484 Shelby Ray CourtCharleston, SC 29414
Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC
843-559-50013575 Maybank Hwy. Ste. E Johns Island
www.barknmeow.net
• pet supplies• DIY doggie wash• bird supplies
Hours 10am - 6pm Monday thru Saturday
Daniel Island Animal Hospital
Lynne M. Flood, DVM Bridget E. Luke, DVM Allison Chappell, DVM
Katherine Rainwater, DVM Matthew J. Hosking, DVM
Wellness Care • Medicine • Surgery • Dentistry Dogs, Cats, and Small Mammals • Dog/Cat Grooming
Daniel Island Animal Hospital 291 Seven Farms Drive Ste 103
Daniel Island, SC 29492
(843) 881-7228 • www.danielislandvet.com
Dr. Danielle Cain, DVMOPEN Weekends!
8389 Dorchester Road • Charleston, SC 29418 843.552.8278 • theanimalhospital.net
Dorchester Rd.
Ashley
Phosp
hate R
d.
photography by Laura Olsen Imagery
Whine Less. Beach more.- Buster
Lowcountrydog 15
life affirmingRESOLUTIONSyou can stealfrom your dog.
16 Lowcountrydog
Be constructive, not destructive.- Cookie
Smile.- Mia
Smile.- Mia
18 Lowcountrydog
Lowcountrydog 19
Exercise daily, and share your toys.- Loretta
20 Lowcountrydog
hap
py
ho
un
ds
Upload photos of your happy hound at www.lowcountrydog.com/share/photo All breeds and mixed breeds accepted.
hannah
mae
sidda
bentley
sophie
lily & little roy
frankie
breck
sawyer brown
maddie & henry
ashley
cesare & jade
astro
bandit
lucky
wilson
radar
ponchoolive
upcoming eventsrecurring eventsevery saturday & sunday pet helpers adoptions at petco, west ashley. www.pethelpers.org
every saturday cas adopt-a-thon at petsmart mt pleasant. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
special eventsdecember 7th 11:00am-4:00pm Photos with Santa Ho! Ho! Ho! Come have your favorite pet’s photo taken with Santa at PetSmart in Mount Pleasant to benefit Charleston Animal Society! Promises to be fun for everyone! Email [email protected] for more info.
december 7th @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm consign charleston shop and shuck For the second year in a row, Consign Charleston is hosting it’s “Shop n Shuck” benefittingCharleston Animal Society. All of the entrance fees plus a portion of the sales will go to help the animals we are trying to save. The event is $20 for all the food you’d likePLUS the chance to shop. Or, there is a $5.00 entry fee if you wouldjust like to shop. 1119Wappoo Rd,Charleston, SC 29407 United States.
december 8th second sunday on king The 2nd Sunday onKingStreet has something for everyone. From Calhoun to Queen walk the street! Bring your pooch and stroll downKingStreet!enjoythestreetactivities, outdoor cafes, incredible shopping and wonderful people.
Your dog will meet the nicest dogs and people in Charleston at this event! FREE parking vouchers! Ask at our info booth. Contact: [email protected] More Info: http://s u s a n l u c a s . t y p e p a d . c o m /secondsundayonkingstreet/
december 14th @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm subaru of charleston share the love event Come out and Share the Love with Subaru and Charleston Animal Society. We’ll bring animals ready for adoption to Subaru in North Charleston and when you drive out in your brand new Crosstreck or Outback, you can take a brand new furry family member with you! Hope to see you there! 8261 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 United States
january 25th-26th 8:00am-5:00pm charleston kennel club dog show. The 77-year-old CharlestonKennelClubshowdrawsone thousand registered dogs. The licensed all-breed show will also accept entries in Obedience and Rally for mixed breed dogs enrolled in the AKC Canine PartnersProgram. Held at Exchange Park in Ladson. Admission is $2and parking is free. Visit www.charlestonkennelclub.org for more info.
Questions? Comments?Call 843-478-0266. Want to submit event information?Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.
mae
lucky
It seems safe to say that most dog/animal
lovers spend time playing with their
companions in some way. Play is fun; it
makes us feel good and relieves stress. Play
can be great exercise. Play helps build a
terrific bond between two different species.
Canplaybemorethan just fun? Can
play be used for training and maintaining
skills? What type of play works best?
Why don’t we talk about play more often?
Talk to any reward-based trainer
and you will learn about food as a
reinforcer for teaching or maintaining
behavior. We use food because it is
fast, so we get a lot of behaviors in a
short period of time -- exactly what we
want when teaching new behaviors.
We don’t talk as much about using
play in training, especially with
companion dog owners. It takes more
time and effort because you actually
have to play for it to be rewarding to the
dog. Is it worth it? I certainly think so.
Using play for training doesn’t mean
that we stop using food. Instead we
can use a combination of the two. It
is very effective to use food during the
training session and end with a game of
tug, fetch or personal play. That makes
training more fun for the dog and sets
him up to start another training session.
Play gives us the opportunity to keep
training fun and interesting for our dogs.
At some point using the same reinforcer
gets boring. If you love lobster but have
to eat it every meal, how long will it be
until it isn’t such a treat any longer?
Through the use of play, we can keep
our dogs excited and engaged with us
during the training process. Many agility
and flyball competitors have been using
play and toys as reinforcers for years.
Some skills are more suited to using toys
and play than others. Consider come when
called. When your dog comes and you
take the time to play with him, he is more
engaged and connected for a longer period
of time. That connection will work in your
favor the next time you call him to come.
There are a lot of different types of
play: fetch, tug, chase games (your dog
chases you) and personal play. It is your
jobtodiscoverwhichgamesaremostfun
and rewarding for your dog. Not every
dog likes to chase a ball or play tug. Some
dogs aren’t fond of personal play. But
having play as part of your toolbox gives
you another option for training and fun.
What about tug games? I hear people
say they have been told to never tug
with their dogs, that tugging creates
aggression. There are some dogs that
shouldn’t tug but most dogs can learn
to play and benefit from the game.
Tug is a great way to teach your dog self
control. Simply put, tug depends on your
dog learning that tug is dependent on his
ability to learn to drop the toy, calm down
and wait for you to resume the game. In
the beginning, it is your job to stop the
game before he goes over the moon and
loses his ability to think. Gradually, you
will begin to play longer periods of time
and at a higher intensity. Tug is the game
of choice for many performance dogs and
certainly the top contender in my house.
Fetch, on the surface, seems to be a
game for the dog only. After all the game
is chasing a ball and the reward doesn’t
have much to do with the person doing the
tossing. But for all of you with ball crazy
dogs, don’t despair -- fetch can be used in
training as well. When your dog brings the
ball, wait until he looks at you or offers
a down before the next throw. Your dog
is learning self control by offering a calm
behavior to get the game to continue.
Chase games are terrific for teaching
your dog to come. How much fun is it for
your dog to be able to run after you and
play when he gets there? The trick is to
have the toy out of sight until he reaches
you. Better still, mix it up by playing with
him without a toy. Play can be a huge
part of teaching a rocket recall; the faster
he comes, the quicker he gets to play!
Not all dogs understand personal play
in the beginning, especially if they have
been discouraged from playing with you
as puppies. Playing with your dog without
toys isn’t comfortable for everyone, at least
in the beginning. It is much easier to grab
a toy to engage your dog than to develop
play skills of your own. It is well worth
learning to engage with your dog this
way. You may not always have a toy but
you will always have your hands or body.
Play is a great tool for helping dogs act
appropriately when guests come to visit.
Using toys can give a shy dog something
fun to do when a stranger comes to
visit. Teaching an overly excited dog
to bring a toy when company comes
gives him a job that works in his favor.
Ofcourse,playcanjustbeplay.When
you come home from a long day and see
your best pal, grab a ball, a tug or that
ratty squeaky toy and have some fun!
Learn more about Cynthia Carter's dog
training at www.mindfulmanners.com
22 Lowcountrydog
Ready, Set, Play!by Cynthia Carter
Play is powerful stuff. It influences so many things, including development, motivation, emotions,
physiology, communication and behavior. Wow! That’s an impressive list. Patricia McConnell, PhD
Photo by potamos.photography, Flickr Creative Commons
Lowcountrydog 23
Located at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms (843) 856-7300
1964 Riviera Dr Ste G, Mount Pleasantwww.tidewaterveterinary.com
Tidewater Veterinary is a full-service integrative practice focused on keeping
your pet happy and healthy.
M-F: 7:30am-7pmSat: 8am-12pm
$15 OFF Senior Wellness Bloodwork with Exam
• Wellness Exams• Vaccines• Acupuncture• Laser Therapy• Dentistry• Surgery
Dr. Cara Daniel, DVM, CVA
$30 shipped!
BarkAvenue
pet resort
* 8x7 Suites and 6x8 Runs (largest in CHS)
* Lowest Daycamp Prices in CHS* All-Breed Groomer
Bark Avenue is THE place to be
843.471.2275 (BARK)2471 Clements Ferry Road
“The best doggone place for yo�pooch to play and stay!”
“The best doggone place for yo�pooch to play and stay!”
1032A LeGrand Blvd • Daniel Island off Clements Ferry 843-884-5434 • www.PlayInTheDogHouse.com
4290 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29414(800) 543-4774
�eInnAtMiddletonPlace.com
DOGS LOVE IT HERE!No Charleston hotel has room to run like The Inn at Middleton Place. We even have packages just for our four-legged guests. Visit our website, or give us a call to learn more.
Most dogs live to be active. Whether it
is a hunting dog moving through a field,
a Labrador Retriever chasing a tennis
ball, a Weimaraner jogging with their
owner or a Boykin tracking squirrels
in the backyard, being on the move is
happiness. Hip dysplasia or arthritis is
one of the most common diseases that
limits a dog’s movement and ultimately
can decrease their quality of life. Hip
dysplasia is a disease of laxity within
the normal ball and socket joint of the
hip. In a normal dog the ball (femoral
head) and socket (acetabulum) fit together
perfectlyallowingforahealthyjointand
pain free movement. In the dysplastic
hip, for numerous reasons, the ball and
socket don’t fit together well, leading
to abnormal cartilage on bone contact
causing pain and eventually arthritis
that can be debilitating. A dog that starts
its life with hip dysplasia ends their life
with some degree of arthritis within the
joint.Eachdogisaffecteddifferentlyand
clinical signs range from mild weakness
to a severe lameness. Dogs who have
hip dysplasia show a variety of changes
including stiffness in the back legs after
exercise, muscle loss, bunny hopping
when running, difficulty rising and/or
difficulty jumping. The disease is most
severe in young dogs when the laxity
develops and older dog once arthritis has
set in.
The diagnosis is usually made following
a physical examination with your primary
veterinarian and xrays of the affected
limb. In young dogs xrays usually show
abnormalshapetothejointandinsevere
cases the femoral head can be completely
luxated from the acetabulum (Image
A). Xrays in older dogs usually show
severe arthritic changes with new bone
growth around the entire joint (Image
B). After diagnosis most dogs are started
on conservative non-surgical management
that includes anti-inflammatory
medications, pain medications and
nutraceuticals with the recommendation
for controlled, consistent low impact
exercise to maintain range of motion and
muscle mass in the leg.
Unfortunately some dogs fail to improve
with non-surgical management, suffer
side effects from the anti-inflammatory
medications or in a young dog the
constant cost of medications and trouble
administering them can be devastating.
In these cases surgical management is
indicated and includes either femoral
head and neck ostectomy (FHO) or total
hip replacement (THR). FHO is considered
a salvage procedure in which the femoral
headissurgicallyremovedfromthejoint
taking away the pain of the arthritic bone.
The soft tissues surrounding the joint
enlarge and take over the job of motion
and stability during walking and running.
In these animals the joint is never
biomechanically normal, rehabilitation
can be intensive and most walk with an
abnormal gait but are usually pain free.
The procedure is reported to be more
effective in smaller dogs.
Total hip replacement has been
performed in dogs since the mid 1970s
and is the only way of repairing or
replacing the normal joint. The surgery
involves replacing the socket and ball with
prosthetic implants to allow normal, pain
free motion in dogs of all sizes and most
recently to include cats. The procedure
is used to treat dogs that suffer from
hip dysplasia/arthritis, traumatically
luxated hips, certain types of fractures
and congenital diseases. Candidates from
the procedure are seen through an initial
exam with a veterinary surgeon and the
benefits versus risk of the procedure are
discussed to provide the best long-term
outcome. At Veterinary Specialty Care we
take a team approach to hip replacement
surgeries and have two experienced
surgeons who evaluate each patient,
perform the surgery together and monitor
the cases for long-term follow-up.
Hip replacement implants are divided
into cemented and uncemented implants.
Cemented implants are their strongest
the day of surgery, but slowly weaken
with time. Uncemented implants count
on bone growing into the device in order
to achieve stability. These implants
are weakest the day after surgery and
strengthen each day thereafter. At our
facility we use a Kyon hip replacement
system that is designed and manufactured
by a Swiss company. We feel the system
has the best of both worlds in that it is
uncemented so it strengthens with time
but is held in place with screws that make
it stable immediately after surgery (Image
D). At the initial exam xrays are taken
to find the correct size of the implants as
multiple sizes are available and the system
is tailored to fit each patient. The day of
surgery patients are admitted early that
morning and the surgery can last between
1.5- 3 hours, depending on each dog. Most
dogs will walk on the affected leg that
day and are usually discharged from the
hospital in 2-3 days. At discharge a list of
exercise restrictions and rehabilitation
exercises are discussed to speed the
recovery process. After 4 weeks of rest, a
gradual return to exercise is allowed over
the next 6-8 weeks. Following this period
24 Lowcountrydog
Hip Dysplasiaby Michael Schlicksup, DVM, Diplomate ACVS-SA
continued on page 29
An xray immediately following surgery. The white
arrowhead shows the prosthetic acetabulum, the
white arrow the prosthetic stem and the asterisk
the screws used for initial stabilization.
Lowcountrydog 25
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continued on page 29
dogs are allowed to return to full function
with no restrictions.
Approximately 95% of dogs return
to a pain free active lifestyle for the
remainder of their life. The majority
dogs that have hip dysplasia/arthritis in
both legs usually require only having one
limb repaired with a hip replacement to
return to happy, normal function. While
the complication rate with the surgery is
not high, the risks cannot be completely
removed and include luxation of the new
hip, infection, femoral fractures, nerve
damage or implant failure. Through an
intensive initial exam, precise surgical
placement, high caseload and thorough
long-term follow-up we strictly limit the
number of complications. As a surgeon the
last thing I tell owners at discharge is that
your dogs ‘new’ hip is my responsibility
from here forward. If you have questions
or concerns whether it is 5pm on Friday
or 10pm on Sunday night you call and a
member of our team will be available.
Veterinary Specialty Care is located at 985
Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843-
216-7554
With tourist season winding down and the weather becoming cooler, there are more opportunities to take your dog with you. It’s a great way to meet people since most of us can’t resistant petting a cute, furry face! It also provides good socialization skills for your pooch and an opportunity to spend more time with them. Consider visiting one of your favorite dog friendly culinary spots with your faithful canine companion.
Most restaurants that offer outdoor dining will allow Fido to come along. However other factors to consider are space for your dog to lie down, grass on the outside of the restaurant so they can go potty and shade to stay cool. Since heat and humidity are obviously a factor in the summer months, take them out in the morning or late afternoon/evening and ask for water as soon as you arrive. Although I don’t advocate feeding your pup from the table as it can lead to begging and counter surfing; bring your dogs treats along so they can be rewarded for their good behavior. If you want to give your doggie a special treat, many restaurants will make a grilled chicken breast (boneless and skinless, of course) with no seasoning so your dog can have a healthy snack! Just cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and give it as you would his favorite treat.
Some of our favorite dog-friendly restaurants include Red’s Ice House, Triangle Char N Bar in Mt. Pleasant, Home Team BBQ, Dunleavy’s Pub, Morgan’s Creek and Café Medley. Just remember for all these places, dogs must be on the appropriate patios and NEVER inside. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and ask about specifics
prior to loading Fluffy in the car. A few words of caution be sure to keep an eye on your
pup as sometimes they end up scavenging on the ground eating bits of food. This can lead to stomach upset when you arrive home. Be mindful of where your dog’s tail and paws are located so they are not in the way of servers or other diners.
Make sure your dog is well socialized and trained prior to taking them to dinner. A crowded restaurant is not the
place to train your dog but rather a reward for a well trained dog. If your dog is well behaved but new to the restaurant scene, take them during the less crowded times so they can have a little more room and learn to use their “inside voice” and patience while waiting for mom and dad to finish their meals.
Taking your dog on a walk prior to dinner provides for a calmer canine diner who is less likely to whine and become anxious. Not all restaurant goers enjoy dogs at the adjacent table so ensure he is not sniffing other patron’s plates or being overly friendly.
We take our 160 lb Shepherd to many local restaurants and we are so thankful that all the staff and other patrons are comfortable and usually happy to have a four legged dining companion. However to ensure that restaurants remain dog friendly and welcome us, we must respect their rules and bring calm, well-behaved pooches to their establishments. If we make dining out with Fido a happy experience for everyone, perhaps more restaurants will offer dog bowls and chicken breasts on the menu!
Dr. Barrett owns Island Veterinary Care, a premier housecall service for the Charleston area. For more information, visit www.islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941.
Dr. Barrett owns Island Veterinary Care, a premier housecall service for the Charleston area. For more information, visit www.islandvetcare.com or call 843-628-1941.
26 Lowcountrydog
Bone Appétit!
By Dr. Shannon Barrett, Island Veterinary Care
Looking for a new best friend?
Pet Helpers Adoption Events Every Weekend at
from 12pm - 4pm975 Savannah Highway, Charleston (843) 852-4563 wwww.petco.com
To fi nd out more about Pet Helpers and the animals available for adoption go to www.pethelpers.org
Lowcountrydog 27
28 Lowcountrydog
As you can see, I’m very handsome – and I’m super sweet! I love my foster mom and dad as well as my furry foster brothers. I dance in circles when my leash comes out, love to go for long walks and I like meeting new dogs. Learn more at www.daisysplace.org
I’m super friendly and I love everyone. I’m also very good in the house, a perfect gentleman. And I’m really good with the little two legged crawler types, too. I sure would like to find my forever family Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org
At 5 years young, I’m the perfect age – just old enough to be extremely well behaved in the house, but with plenty of life left to live and love to give! I’m so easy going that I didn’t even flinch when the doc gave me a mani-pedi! Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org
Monique is heartworm positive and undergoing heartworm treatment. Once complete she will be available for adoption. For more information on wonderful Monique you can call her foster mother at 843-991-8036 or you can email [email protected].
Hi I'm Allie Mae. I might be seven years old by the numbers but I certainly don't feel that old inside! I love to play with the young pups and can give them a run for their money. I'd love to be part of your family. Learn more at www.summervillespca.org
Meet Bear, a 6 year old German Spitz Mix. He's currently in the Adoption Ambassador Program. We recommend Bear in an ADULT ONLY household. If you are interested in Bear please contact [email protected] or 843-329-1577.
bear
allie mae
monique jessie
tom sawyer
Adop
tion
Pag
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colby
Spots is a one year old retriever mix. He has a lot of energy but he is sweet and submissive and listens well. Can you consider giving this wonderful boy his second chance? If you are interested in adopting him, please visit www.summervillespca.org
I can be super snuggly at times and love to chew on a good toy. I also have a very playful side! I get low to the ground and hide, waiting to pounce on my next unsuspecting play mate! Sometimes I like to be only around humans and no other animals. See if I am your match at
www.pethlpers.org
Meet Storm, he's wonderful with dogs, cats and other small pets. He is also Great with children! Completely house broken, knows basic commands, no food or toy aggression. If you are interested please contact [email protected]
Check out Bree, she's currently in a foster program called Adoption Ambassadors. Foster families take dogs that are available for adoption into their homes and bring them around the community with an adopt me vest to try to get them adopted. If you are interested please contact [email protected] or 843-329-1577
I am a gentle spirit and have never met a stranger! I get so excited about new people that I even talk to them! I am extremely well-behaved on a leash and would love nothing more than someone who wants to take me out and about on the town! Come see me at www.pethelpers.org
I am a sweet girl whose been in a foster home for a while and my foster mother just adores me. She says I am great on a leash and love to go on walks. I have learned how to sit, stay, fetch and I am working on wait. Visit me at www.pethelpers.orgchloe halsey
bree
storm
beeper
spots
$30 shipped!
30 Lowcountrydog